In just a little while, you'll see what my Top 10 movies of the year are, but just a reminder that this is my personal Top 10 list. It's the Top 10 movies of the year in my opinion, so please, if you have your own version, don't get mad that mine is not similar. Just voice your opinion in the comment section.
Let's get to it. My TOP TEN MOVIES OF 2014:
10.) Chef
I feel as if Chef is a movie about two stories. It's the story about chef Carl Casper (director Jon Favreau) and how he grew tired working for the classy restaurant (the big name movie studios) and their inability to try new things. Soon, he wouldn't even like the same tired food he was making (Iron Man 2 and Cowboys & Aliens), so he quits and goes off to do what he loves to do, cooking (directing) for himself. This is Jon Favreau's passion project, this is him doing a simple little movie about food and family, but he does it with a lot of heart and a lot of skill that I hope he never loses as a director. Smartly written and creatively crafted, this is one feel good movie that just oozes satisfaction.
9.) Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
It feels good when you're most anticipated movie of the year doesn't let you down. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a thrilling and engrossing summer blockbuster movie, packed with action and full of emotion. I love that they gave more depth to Caesar as a character by really challenging him as a leader and as a "son" of two worlds. Of course, the extremely talented, motion capture expert Andy Serkis portrayed Caesar excellently, but newcomer Toby Kebbell also gives a jarring performance as the villain Koba. With all those and Matt Reeves' phenomenal directing, this movie just becomes another great chapter in the Planet of the Apes to commend.
8.) Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Yes, my readers, out of all the five Marvel movies that came out in 2014, this is the only one that makes the cut. Why? Because it's just that great. Captain America: The Winter Soldier had, like, four villains, three different storylines, a ton of supporting cast members, a super soldier, and it still managed to throw all that in together and come up with an exhilarating political thriller that has a thematically coherent story that really goes into, with great depth, the character that is Captain America. This is not just the best Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, but it's also one of the best comic book movies in general.
7.) Nightcrawler
I'm not morbid for saying Nightcrawler has one entertaining as hell story, right? Well, it does. It's also a sharp, unsettling story about #1 sociopath of the year (or is it number #2?) Lou Bloom. There just is no stopping Jake Gyllenhaal from performing his absolute best every single time. Gyllenhaal as Lou Bloom is definitely my favorite performance of the year, but let's also not forget how good of a debut in directing this is for Dan Gilroy. This movie so engrossing, so thrilling, and so insane that you yourself will actually get that big Lou Bloom smile on your face.
6.) Interstellar
Remember when Anne Hathaway's character gave a speech about love transcending all things, and then it actually did? Interstellar is Christopher Nolan science-fiction film about love. The film just works on so many different levels; technical, acting, directing, directing, and of course, an emotional level as well. It's jaw-dropping, intense, impactful and emotional. It's more than the spectacular visual experience, and even more than the amazing theater experience, it takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride through the dark and dangerous outer space.
5.) Godzilla
GWWWOOOOAAAGGHHHH. Coming in at number five is the King of the Monsters and the 2014 Summer Blockbusters, Godzilla. Gareth Edwards directed the hell out of this movie. He knows how to handle scale, and he made it tense, epic, disastrous and awesome. That's basically the exact way I'd want my Godzilla movie to be made. Many people are complaining that it doesn't give the human characters enough depth while that's the entire point of the movie, to show that we humans are insignificant when it comes to the clash of giant monsters. I'm sorry, I'm not going to rant about this again. I freaking love this amazing, wonderful, gorgeous movie to death, and you bet that I cheer everytime I watch the finale. That's just a must.
4.) Boyhood
What is Boyhood? Boyhood is life. Literally life. This is Richard Linklater's 12-year masterpiece. It follows the story of a young boy through childhood in the suburbs, elementary school, high school, relationships, college, moving out, growing up. It's a film that depicts life and growing up like no other film because it really is life! You see the child actor grow up in a span of hours, you see Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette give fantastic performances, and you see flashbacks of your own childhood. It's such a beautiful and emotional indie film that I hope a lot of you check out, because it's certainly going to go down as one of the all-time greats.
3.) Gone Girl
This movie pretty much seals the deal on the whole not-getting-married thing, right? Gone Girl is Gone Girl, man. If you've watched it, you know what's up. David Fincher masterfully directed this movie, Affleck is great in it, and Rosamund Pike is *shudders* scary good (sociopath of the year #1? Maybe.) It's an engrossing as fuck movie, terrifying and heartbreaking, thought-provoking and discussion worthy, and executed near-flawlessly. If you haven't seen it, please just contact me immediately so we can video call and watch the movie together. Admittedly, I saw this film three times in theaters just to see the different reactions.
2.) The LEGO Movie
Everything is awesoooooooome. Damn, I love The LEGO Movie. It's just one of those animation movies that stretches the boundaries of imagination. It's another self-aware, fun, and hilarious adventure with tons of heart brought to you by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The voice cast is amazing, the characters are charming and full of life, a lot of eye candy, and some pretty complex themes I'd never imagine seeing in a kids' film. PLUS, HOW CATCHY IS THAT SONG (until you realize the song your singing is the robot slave song).
The LEGO Movie is amazing, and it almost, just almost, became my favorite movie of 2014. That was until I saw... (drumroll, please)
No, not X-Men: Days of Future Past. It's
1.) Whiplash
The best movie of 2014 is, in my opinion, Whiplash. Holy crap, this movie. Where do I begin? Miles Teller is amazing, this is him at his best. J.K. Simmons delivers such a commanding and intense performance that it still deeply implanted in my memory. I don't think any horror movie in the past two years has kept me on the edge of my seat, scared, as much as J.K. Simmons' delivery of the line "not my tempo". The movie is fan-freaking-tastically directed by Damien Chazelle too. This is the only movie in 2014 to emit energy. This movie makes you feel energy. True story. It's very much a thriller in some ways. It's sharp and to the point, and it'll keep you on the edge of your seat. Whiplash is electrifying, an intense and exhilarating emotional ride, and will absolutely leave you breathless.
That about raps up my Top 10 Movies of 2014 list. This year was such an amazing year for film. I myself still absolutely loved the film I put around the 15s, 16s and 17s, so you can imagine how much I love these ten films I just ran through.
You can check out my ranking of this year's films (from best-worst) by clicking here. You can also read through the normal reviews of the films in this Top 10 list by clicking on the pictures. I thank you all for taking the time to read it, and I look forward to read through some of yours. You can voice your opinion down in the comment section or you can tweet at me. Thanks, and I guess my next post will be in 2015!
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